Met gets extension to AI project with spy tech firm Palantir after mayor blocked deal

The Metropolitan Police will continue its pilot project with the controversial spy tech firm Palantir for another year, after the Mayor of London's office granted an extension. This move allows the force to conduct a new procurement process to find a long-term supplier for its AI-driven intelligence analysis.

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We are pleased Mopac [the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime] has approved the Met to continue to use this capability for a further 12 months to strengthen professional standards, root out misconduct and increase public confidence.

The extension comes weeks after Mayor Sadiq Khan vetoed a £50 million deal between the Met and Palantir. Khan's office cited a "clear and serious breach" of procurement rules, stating that the police had unduly favored a single supplier. Palantir's lawyers reportedly intended to challenge this decision in court.

Assistant Commissioner Rachel Williams expressed satisfaction with the extension, emphasizing its role in strengthening professional standards and public confidence. She stated that the AI system, Customer Service Engine (CSE), helps consolidate lawfully held data to identify potential misconduct and welfare concerns among officers. The pilot has already led to the progression of a significant number of matters by the professional standards team.

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The deputy mayor has required the Met to run a new procurement process, open to a wide range of potential suppliers, to choose the long-term provider of this capability.

While the Met plans to use the extension to streamline administrative processes and free up officers, a spokesperson for the Mayor of London reiterated the need for a new, open procurement process. This ensures a wider range of potential suppliers can be considered for the long-term capability, balancing the Met's immediate needs with fair competition.

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Today, our ability to act is constrained by a lack of tech to provide such insight.